No suggestion here is going to do shit. Let me make that clear. People aren't conned most of the time because they're smart and intelligent, no. It's because they're stupid and decide to ignore the obvious for either obviously unrealistic terms or unrealistic gains.

What i can propose is an extention of the LYN wiki with suggestion to how people should trade. I certainly have no expectations for precedure around here, i trade how i like to trade because i like to trade that way, for forumers i know, i bulk their items before they pay, because i trust them although some won't even come near to what i do, at the end of the day is a matter of preference. But the point here is, we can't give people guidelines, but we can advise them.

Here are a few suggestion that might work, who knows.

- Trader Wiki based off the LYN wiki allowing for tips to be shared and such. Edited in good manner, it can help alot of newbies. KISS rule applies.

- Educational Video. Stream it off the server, do it flash or something like the dudes on the STEAM forums. eg; Hey kids, let's watch an educational video! Part one, if it's too good to be true, it probably is, like candy shitting pink unicons!

- Everytime a thread is opened up on tradezone, a simple reminder can be given in bold red eg; Trading guidelines, links to wiki, last minute tips, how to use a hair curler.......

Educate, not mollycoddle. It's as simple as that.

This a techforum, nobody actually charges anything or should charge anything for trade, the main objective of this forum still stands, although yes the tech discussion these days is purely comprised of shitty drivel, no thanks to baskets like me egging it on, i say again, it still stands.

Lemme put in point form

- Malaysians are shallow morons, we want something for nothing or less than what it's worth, that's why there are still suckers out there. If i opened an account selling my CFX3200 board for 400 bucks, i probably could get away with 800 before getting caught, and a new prepaid goes for only like 30 bucks?

- Who the butt in God's name is going to sort out all those IC's. Mind you the moderators want to keep as much responsibility out of their hands as possible, what you're proposing means more work. They don't get paid mind you.

- Why should LYN be responsible for details, and why should i give my details as a trader in the first place? I only give details when needed, the rest is confidential, if a buyer wants my IC photostatted, i'll tell him to f*** off and find another seller. End point is, up to the buyer and seller to come to an agreement. I can't cure stupidity man, so i can't do anything about dumbasses agreeing to dumb terms.

- We already have the safetrader tag so the verified member tag is pretty moot because the ST is based on trust, wherelse your VM tag is just based on "Possibly" correct information. Secondly to people like me who prize our privacy, your suggestion of asking people to buy from VM is pretty much bullshit. I've contributed enough to this place, made friends here, wrote reams of FAQs and sold tons of stuff. So you're saying a 1 post wonder VM is better than me? Just because i like my privacy?

Let the buyer make an educated choice.

Point is, your idea wont work.

Back to my suggestions,

Record, Learn and Promulgate. A 3 step solution to the issue, not a total solution, but a better one based on Wiki.

Records of scams should be kept, reports made and conclusions drawn by the majority of forumers here who have sufficient knowledge about the issues at hand.

Learning how scammers operate to a fine degree should be made a priority, their tactics and modus operandi should be made clear and simple and distilled.

Promulgation of the data above is paramount. Putting mandatory links in every newtopic in Tradezone, and warnings before replying to any topics in tradezone can reduce occurances of scam. Yes, most don't bother to read, but it goes to show that reading can save you money, a mentality we should instill.

It's just like graphic pictures of flaccid penises on packs of ciggies, it gives men the shivers without depriving them of their legal right to smoke. Cheaper, Certainly Easier to Implement and if done with enough support, effective.

Not the issue, i value my privacy, thus i don't give my particulars to anyone, my address i give people most of the time is the address of a house my parents rent out to some people. Why? Because i like doing it that way. Don't like my style? Don't buy from me, it's as simple as that.

A deal thus takes 2 people to agree upon, not 1. If the buyer doesn't trust me, he can request a COD, that's fine. If i'm too lazy to COD, go find lah some other person to buy from. Yup, stuff is that simple sometimes.

The ST tag isn't and will never be a guarantee of safety, but NEITHER is a verified tag. And in my view STs being more active in the community and known by many has more to lose. Let me reitterate that it won't mean, you wont get scammed, but lowers the possibility of it due to the fact that an ST has actively traded and participated in the community. VS status doesn't prove anything because ICs can be actively altered and false documents given. It's fine if you can get someone to eyeball traders, but if you want to do it for everyone who comes through here, you better have serious moolah. Caveat Emptor, Let the Buyer Beware.

And on the newbie getting slashed because he didn't read. To me it's a simple realization of the idiom "A fool and his money are soon parted", and most scammers in the end are just 1 post wonders, promising the sun, moon and sky, easy to spot if you use your brain a little.

- unnecessary -

This post has been edited by badawi_rocks: Oct 16 2006, 04:52 PM